I'm always astounded when players say they hardly ever use their Bb and Eb harps. In second position they are used for playing in F and Bb respectively which I've always cosidered to be very commonly called keys. In the old days when I was just starting out and playing Marine Bands using extremely poor breath techique I might blow out an Eb in a weekend if I was lucky enough to be invited to sit in a lot on Friday and Saturday. That was a while ago, But I've always used those harps quite a bit and still do.
Last Edited by hvyj on Jun 08, 2017 10:01 PM
I agree hvyi. I like to use both harps as much as possible, although I have a tough time convincing our band to play in F. We do play songs like Hey Bartender (Floyd Dixon like), Why Get Up and (we used to play) She Caught the Katy in Bb. I do wish I could use the Bb more, though.
Last Edited by Rgsccr on Jun 08, 2017 10:46 PM
I use Bb a fair bit, Eb not so much. I use F a lot more than Eb, and I have 3 E harps which I'm currently renting out to a family of wasps. The Eb does come out occasionally; playing along with Carey Bell's 'I'm ready' solo, Elmore's 'one way out' (neat song btw, the horns basically play a hook on the tonic and 6th, makes a nice change from the more common Sonny Boy harp-led approach) and Hancock's 'Chameleon'. But not much call for it really.
I love the Bb, it sits so nicely in the middle of the register.
I can see how if you are not playing a lot of trad blues in F or not using it in 3rd for C that you might not play it that often (which is a cryin' shame since it's such a great harp!). Oh and good for 1st pos too but if you're not playing in F you probably aren't playing in Bb either I"m guessing. I blame guitar players.
---------- 4' 4+ 3' 2~~~ -Mike Ziemba Harmonica is Life!
Last Edited by slaphappy on Jun 09, 2017 2:07 PM
I'll also jump in with my love for the Bb harp. It's the one key I'd been missing and finally got a few months back. Can't get enough of it. Perfect in between the high keys and low keys. Replaced A as my favorite.
The Lou Reed/Velvet Underground tune PALE BLUE EYES (which has been covered by various artists) is in F and the Bb harp sounds appropriately haunting on that tune. Also POOR WAYFARING STRANGER (which is in Dm, but playable in 5th position on a Bb harp).
As soon as I am out listening to music without Eb, Bb, or E harps and having just a few keys with me, I will be asked to sit in and they will call a song in which I would use one of those harps. I am often asked to sit in, something I enjoy a lot. It keeps you on your toes musically when you are playing new songs or arrangements. It is scary but fun! These days I often need B, F#, Db, or An harps fairly often, too!
If you are serious about making music with others beyond your friends and band members you need a full set. I keep a set of second string harps in my vehicle, just in case I am invited to play. I refuse to be the musician who has to say, "I can't play in that key." ----------
I have been using flat harps for many years,Because I tune my guitar E-flat...I don`t find much difference between a flat-A to a REG. A...Though an E-flat tuned guitar gives you a looseness too do some fantastic bending.......
Well, I got into flat keyed harps more heavily when I started using fifth position regularly about 11 years ago. Db=Fm Ab=Cm Eb=Gm Bb=Dm in fifth position. Eb also = Cm in fourth position All fairly commonly called keys in the musical circles I run in. Although by far the most commonly called minor is Am (the relative minor of C major).
Well, it sorta depends on who you are playing with, and the type of music they play, but Em, Gm and Cm seem to get called pretty regularly and, of course, THE THRILL IS GONE is in Bm.
Bb was always a staple, but I never used Eb much until I started playing with jazz/r&b guys, including a great sax player. Since a lot of the tunes are in Bb, I use Eb and Ab a lot now. Even ponied up for a Db and Gb, which get occasional use.
